Rising bear numbers in French Pyrenees mask long-term fears for species' survival

Despite encouraging growth in numbers, the long-term survival of brown bears in the Pyrenees remains uncertain. © AFP

Despite an encouraging growth in numbers, France's national biodiversity body has warned that the long-term survival of brown bears in the Pyrenees nonetheless remains uncertain.

The brown bear population in the French Pyrenees is continuing to rise, with at least 96 individuals spotted across the mountain range last year, according to the latest official count.